broadleaved pepperweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• broad-leaved peppergrass
• perennial peppergrass
• broadleaf peppergrass
• broadleaf pepperwort
• peppergrass
• perennial pepper cress
• perennial pepper-grass
• perennial pepperweed
• perennial pepperwort
• tall whitetop
• Tall Pepperweed
• broadleafed pepperweed
• broadleaved pepperweed
• peppergrass mustard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lepidium latifolium var. europaeum
• Crucifera latifolia
• Nasturtium latifolium
• Nasturtiastrum latifolium
• Cardaria latifolia
• Lepidium latifolium f. pubescens
• Lepidium dioscaridis
• Lepidium latifolium var. mongolicum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Lepidium, specifically as the species Lepidium latifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. It can also be found extending further north into the territory of Sweden. Additionally, the species is located within Middle Europe, specifically in Austria. These locations highlight its range across both northern and central European landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lepidium latifolium is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving in diverse mountainous environments ranging from lowlands to high-altitude zones. It occupies an elevational range starting from a minimum of 600 m AMSL and ascending to a maximum of 4250 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 3025 m AMSL. In terms of preferred habitat, the species is frequently found in managed roadsides, where it adapts to the specific environmental conditions created by human activity and transport infrastructure.

Elevational range max:

4250 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3025 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

roadsides managed

Life history

The life history of Lepidium latifolium is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a hemicryptophyte life form, meaning its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or debris. Furthermore, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its vegetative structures remain functional across different periods of its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lepidium latifolium is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. The plant is a self-supporting organism, neither acting as a climber nor a parasite, as it grows independently in its environment. In terms of its ecological habit, it is strictly terrestrial, functioning as neither an aquatic nor an epiphytic species. The physical stature of the plant varies in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.771 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.771 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lepidium latifolium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. The plant's foliar morphology exhibits significant variation, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, maintaining a mean leaf length of 4.5 cm. The width of the leaves fluctuates between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, contributing to an average leaf size of 36.21 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 153.1 cm²/g, reflecting its resource allocation and leaf mass per area dynamics.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf size mean:

36.21 cm²

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

153.1 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lepidium latifolium is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers, with no recorded instances of asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in July. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for pollination. During the reproductive cycle, self-fertilization is present, ensuring seed production. The resulting fruit is categorized as a capsule, which is dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a minimum mass of 0.00019 g, a mean mass of 0.000528 g, and a maximum mass of 0.00019 g (noting specific data variations). Dispersal of the seeds occurs via an anthropochorous syndrome, indicating that human activity plays a role in their distribution.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00019 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000528 g

Seed mass min:

1e-04 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Lepidium latifolium has 7 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antitumor.

Analgesic

1. International journal of biomaterials

Anthelmintic

1. International journal of biomaterials

Antibacterial

1. International journal of biomaterials

Antimicrobial

1. International journal of biomaterials

Antitumor

1. International journal of biomaterials

Irritant

1. International journal of biomaterials

Laxative

1. International journal of biomaterials

Conditions

Lepidium latifolium has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include analgesic, anthelmintic, hypertension, irritant, laxative.

Analgesic

1. International journal of biomaterials

Anthelmintic

1. International journal of biomaterials

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Irritant

1. International journal of biomaterials

Laxative

1. International journal of biomaterials